Spring suspension for railway trucks and the like



June 22, 1943.

c. D. YOUNG SPRING SUSPENSION FOR RAILWAY TRUCKS AND THE LIKE Filed July is, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 SR WN 4 v INVENTOR:

v Uflaf'iesfl 251mg, BY W W ATTORNEYS MN QQN KR June 22, 1943. c. D. YOUNG SPRING SUSPENSION FOR RAILWAY TRUCKS AND THE LIKE Filed July 16, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: Qfiariesl). Yo'Ung,

ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 22, 1943 SPRING SUSPENSION FOR RAILWAY TRUCKS AND THELIKE Charles D. Young, Haverford, Pa.

Application July 16, 1941, Serial No. 402,574

9 Claims.

This invention relates to spring systems for railway trucks and the like. More particularly it is concerned with truck spring suspensions of the type shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,199,907 granted toCharles D. Barrett and Charles 'R. Whitehead on May 7, 1940, wherein each end of the truck bolster is supported from beneath by resilient means within the window of the corresponding side frame of the truck, and wherein one or more leaf springs extend lengthwise of a hollow in the bolster end and have free ends supported from said frame within the window independently of the resilient means aforesaid.

In connection with a truck incorporating a spring system of the above character, I aim to secure greater flexibility of the spring action normally under light loads and at the same time make it possible to increase the maximum load capacity of the system.

These desirable advantages I attain in practice as hereinafter set forth in greater detail, through provision, in association with the leaf springs within the bolster ends, of supplemental or helper spring means which are normally relaxed and therefore inoperative under light loads, but whichcome into play after the leaf springs are flexed to a predetermined extent, to increase the resistivity of said leaf springs when the load is augmented.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the following description of the attached drawings; wherein Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation, of a railway car truck conveniently embodying my invention.

2 is a fragmentary view in section taken longitudinally through the bolster as indicated by the angled arrows II--II in Fig. 1 and showing the normal condition of the spring system when under light load.

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 but of the opposite side of the truck showing the action of the spring system under heavy loads.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Fi 1 showing an alternative embodiment of my tion of the alternative spring system under maximum load.

Referring first more particularly to Figs. 1-3, the truck chosen for illustration herein is, generally speaking, of the A. A. R. standard type such as are ordinarily used on freight cars. As exemplified in Fig. 1, each side frame H) of the truck has wheel axle journal boxes H at opposite ends thereof which are connected by an upper compression member l2 and a lower tension member l3, said members being integrally joined as ordinarily by laterally spaced vertical struts I 4, M which define a bolster window 15 centrally of the frame. A channel section spring plank It serves as a connecting member between the frame IO and the corresponding frame (not shown) at the opposite side of the truck. The truck bolster designated comprehensively by the numeral l! is of hollow construction, has its end within the window l5 of the side frame, and is provided with retaining shoulders 18 for engaging the outer and inner sides of the usual guide surfaces [9 on the struts M.

The end of the bolster is supported by four nested groups of helical springs 20, 2| and 20a, 2 la which ar arranged in pairsside by side within the window l5 and said pairs aligned in the direction of the bolster, with their lower ends resting upon a spring plate 22 within the channe] of the spring plank I6. As shown, the lower ends of the inner springs 2|, 21a of each of these groups are held centered by upstanding annular flanges on auxiliary plates 23 superimposed upon the spring plates 22, and have their upper ends engaged in centering recesses 24 formed in the bottom wall of the bolster end. Also as shown, the auxiliary plates 23 are recessed for the centering of columns or posts 25, 25a whereof the transversely aligned pairs extend upward through the coiled spring. groups and through clearance openings 26 in the bottom wall of the bolster end and moreover extend into subdivisions 21, 21a set apart in the latter by a central longitudinally extending partition 23. Supported by the columns or posts 25, 15a. within the subdivisions 21, 21a are saddles 29., 29a which are recessed in their bottoms to receive the upper ends of said columns orposts. Disposed within the subdivisions 21, 21a of the bolster end with their straps 30 rounded at the top and engaging correspondingly configured bearing surfaces 3l on the upper wall of the bolster I! are leaf springs 32, 3211. The inner ends of these leaf springs 32, 32a engage a renewable cylindric bearing member in the formof a bar 33 recessed into a crosswise web 34 within the bolster hollow; while the outer ends, of said springs are curved to engage correspondingly rounded central ridges 35 on the saddles 23, 29a. Insofar as briefly described up to this point, the construction of the spring suspension is substantially the same as that featured in the Barrett et al. patent hereinbefore referred to.

In order to supplement the action of the leaf springs 32, 32a in such a suspension system, I have provided, in accordance with my invention, supplemental or helper spring means in association with said leaf springs. This supplemental spring means includes an additional pair of normally relaxed leaf springs 36, 36a which are arranged in superposed relation to the leaf springs 32, 32a, and which, in this instance, have their leaves arched oppositely to those of said springs 32, 32a. The inner ends of the supplemental leaf springs 36, 33a rest upon a replaceable bearing bar 38 which is seated within another recess in the cross web 34 within the bolster H, the outer ends of said supplemental springs engaging ridges 33 on the saddles 29, 29a inward of the ridges 35. It is to b noted the bearing bar 38 and the saddle ridges 39 are respectively at levels below the bearing bar 33 and ridge 35 so that normally the center straps 30, 40 of the springs 32, 36 and 32a, 36a are vertically spaced relative to each other as illustrated in Fig. 2, with the result that the leaf springs 32, 23a may function alone under comparatively light loads. As further shownin Fig. 2, the inner and outer ends of the supplemental springs 35, 36a are held against upward displacement relative to the bearing bar 38 and ridges 35 and 39 on the saddles 29, 29a respectively by a transverse retaining pin 42 and by projections. 43 which overhang said ridges. From Fig. 1 it will be further observed that the spring straps and 40 are of a width to fit closely within the subdivisions 21, 27a of the bolster end; and from Fig. 2, that th recesses for the bearing members 33 and 38 in the cross web 34 and the saddles 23, 23s are respectively provided with side flanges 46, 4'! and 48 between which the ends of the springs 32, 32a and 35, 36a have a relavtively snug fit. As a consequence of the provisions just referred to, the springs 32, 32a. and 36, 36a are confined solely to up and down fiexure within the bolster H. For convenience of introducing and manipulating the Various parts of the suspension in assembling the truck, the bolster I l is left open at its end, and is moreover provided, top and bottom adjacent its ends, with access openings 49 and 53, see Figs. 2 and 3. I

Due to the liberal vertical interval normally between the springs 32, 32a and 35, a, the springs 32, 320. have a comparatively wide range of action under normal loads. Accordingly, the bands 33 of the springs 32, 32a do not ordinarily come into contact with the bands Ml of the springs 36, 36a. However, when the springs 32, 32a are flexed beyond a definite amount under increased loads, the center bands 30 thereof will finally engage the center bands M! of the sup-- plemental springs 36, 36a, whereupon the latter will function to augment the resistivity of the said springs 32, 32a. Fig. 3 shows the spring system under maximum load with the helical spring groups 23, 2| and 29a, Zla compressed solid, with the center bands 30 and of the leaf springs 32, 32a and 38, 36a in full contact, and with said leaf springs in full compression.

The snubbing action due to friction between the leaves of the springs 32, 32a and 36, 36a will obviously enhance the riding qualities of the truck.

Except as hereinafter specifically pointed out, the alternative form of my invention shown in Figs. 4-7 is generally similar to the first described embodiment. Accordingly, in order .to obviate the necessity for repetitive description, all corresponding parts in the alternative form have been identified with the same reference characters previously employed, with the addition in each instance, however, of a prime for convenience of more ready distinction. In the alternative arrangement, the supplemental leaf springs 35, 36a are disposed above the leaf springs 32, 32a, and combined with the latter by single straps 33'. A further difference will be noted in that the ends of the supplemental leaf springs 33', 38a are free and unsupported; while, in the first embodiment, the ends of the springs 32, 32a respectively engage in bearing members 33 on a cross piece 32' within the bolster ii" and saddles 253, 23a which are supported at the tops of columns or posts 25, 25a, of which there are but two in this instance. These posts 25, 25a are respectively surrounded by single helical springs 53, 53a and are located in the medial plane of the side frame 10' centrally beneath the outer ends of the leaf springs 32, 32a. and between nested coil springs 29, 2! and 23a, 21a which correspond to the coiled spring groups 20, 2! and 20a, Zia of the first embodiment. It is to be particularly noted that the springs 26', El, 28a, 21a are more widely spaced transversely of the side frame If! to enable use of springs 53, 53a of relatively large diameter, and that they are also more widely spaced longitudinally of the side frame to accommodate between them, in corresponding planes, additional groups of nested coil springs 5|, 5m and 52, 52a in the central plane of the bolster ll. It is of course to be understood that such an amplified coil spring arrangement may, is desired or found advantageous in practice, be incorporated in the first described embodiment of my invention. The function of the alternative form of spring suspension is like that of the first described embodiment except that here the ends of the supplemental springs 36', 35a come in contact respectively with the ends of the leaf springs 32', 32a when the load is increased. Otherwise the ends of the supplemental springs 38', 36a are entirely free, and said springs fully relaxed as hereinbefore pointed out and as illustrated in Fig. 5.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a truck, the combination with a side frame having a bolster window, and a hollow bolster with an end in said window; of a spring suspension including coil spring means in said window under the bolster and yieldingly supporting the latter from said side frame; leaf spring means mounted inside the bolster lengthwise thereof to fiex up and down therein with its outer end in the side frame and within the hollow bolster end; column means under said outer end of the leaf spring means supporting the latter from the side frame member at the bottom of said window independently or" the coil spring means,

whereby said coil spring mean and said leaf spring means support the bolster in parallel with one another; and normally relaxed supplemental leaf spring means operative to augment the re- 'sistivity of the first leaf spring when the latter has been flexed to a predetermined extent, said supplemental leaf spring means being mounted within the hollow of the bolster lengthwise thereof below and normally out of contact with the first leaf spring means and having its outer end resting on the aforesaid column means.

2. In a truck, the combination with a side frame having a bolster window, and a hollow bolster with an end in said window; of a spring suspension including coil spring means in said window under the bolster and yieldingly supporting the latter from said side frame; leaf spring means mounted inside the bolster lengthwise thereof to flex up and down therein with its outer end in the side frame and within th hollow bolster end; column means under said outer end of the leaf spring means supporting the latter from the side frame member at the bottom of said window independently of the coil spring means, whereby said coil spring means and said leaf spring means support the bolster in parallel with one another; and normally relaxed supplemental leaf spring means operative to augment the resistivity of the first leaf spring when the latter has been flexed to a predetermined extent, said supplemental leaf spring means being mounted within the hollow of the bolster lengthwise thereof above the first leaf spring means with its ends normally out of contact with the first leaf spring means.

3. In a truck, the combination with a side frame having a bolster window and a hollow bolster with an end in said Window, of a spring suspension including a pair of leaf springs of substantially equal length mounted in superposed relation within the bolster longitudinally thereof with their outer ends within the frame window and within th bolster end, the mid portion of one of the springs serving as a support for the bolster end, and the other spring being normally relaxed and out of operative contact with the first spring but effective upon engagement with th first mentioned sprin to augment the resistivity thereof when it has flexed to a predetermined extent, and bearings respectively on the frame and within the bolster against which the opposite ends of the springs react.

4. In a truck, the combination with a side frame having a bolster window and a hollow bolster with an end in said window, of a spring suspension including a pair of leaf springs of substantially equal length mounted within the bolster longitudinally thereof with their outer ends within the frame window and within the bolster end; the mid portion of one of the springs serving as a support for the bolster end, the other spring being oppositely bowed with respect to the first mentioned spring and normally relaxed with its mid portion out of contact with the mid portion of said first spring, and bearings respectively at different levels on the frame and within the bolster against which the opposite ends of the springs respectively react.

5. In a truck, the combination with a side frame having a bolster window and a hollow bolster with an end in said window, of a spring suspension-which includes leaf spring means comprising two sections mounted in superposed relation within the bolster longitudinally thereof with their outer ends within the frame window and Within the bolster end, the mid portion of said spring means serving as a support for the bolster end, one spring section being normally relaxed and out of operative contact with the other spring section but effective upon engagement with said other spring section to augment the resistivity of the latter when it has been flexed, and bearings respectively on the frame and within the bolster against which the opposite ends of the spring means react.

6. In a truck, the combination with a side frame having a bolster window and a bolster with an end in said window, of a spring suspension which includes leaf spring means comprising two sections mounted in superposed relation longitudinally of the bolster with their outer ends within the frame window, the mid portion of said spring means serving as a support for the bolster end, one spring section being normally relaxed and out of operative contact with the other spring section but effective upon engagement with said other spring section to augment the resistivity of the latter when it has been flexed, and bearings respectively on the frame and on the bolster against which the opposite ends of the spring means react.

7. The invention according to claim 5, in which the two leaf spring sections are constructed as a unit.

8. The invention according to claim 5, in which the two leaf spring section are constructed as a unit, and in which the ends of the normally relaxed leaf spring section are normally out of contact with the ends of the other leaf spring section.

9. In a truck, the combination with a side frame having a bolster window and a hollow bo lster with an end in said window, of a spring suspension including coil spring means in said window under the bolster for yieldingly supporting the latter from said side frame, leaf spring means comprising two sections mounted in superposed relation longitudinally of the bolster with their outer ends within the frame Window, column means under the outer end of one of the leaf spring sections supporting such section from the side frame member at the bottom of said window independently of the coil spring means, whereby said cOil spring means and said leaf spring section support the bolster in parallel with one another, and the other leaf spring section being normally relaxed with its ends out of contact with those of the first-mentioned spring section, but effective upon engagement of its ends with the ends of the first mentioned spring section to augment the resistivity of the latter after it has been flexed to a predetermined extent.

CHARLES D. YOUNG. 

